Mumbai: Shaikh Mujeeb and Shakir Shaikh, the acting secretaries of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maharashtra, have appealed to the citizens of all the cities where municipal elections are being held to exercise their right to vote with full responsibility, awareness and awareness of moral values. The responsible persons have made it clear that municipal elections are not limited to drains, roads or water supply, but they are the ones that decide the honor, justice, peace and all-round development of the city.

The appeal states that the vote of the citizens is their real power and it is directly related to the lives of future generations. The decisions of local self-government bodies have an impact on the daily life of the citizens, social harmony and the quality of administration. Therefore, it is very important to make decisions thoughtfully and based on information instead of voting based on emotions or temporary benefits.

According to the officials, the right candidate is the one who is honest, understands the problems and sufferings of the people, prioritizes collective interest over personal or group interest, and considers public service a moral responsibility. Local bodies determine the direction of the city, and the role and values ​​of elected representatives determine whether the city will move on the path of development or decline.

The officials have issued a stern warning regarding the buying and selling of votes, calling it the sale of conscience and betrayal of the future of children. Voting for a few bucks is actually trading the future of the city. Those who buy votes today will not hesitate to sell public resources and public trust tomorrow, this has also been made clear in the appeal.

There has also been an emphasis on not turning political differences into hostility during the electoral process. Differences of opinion are natural in a democracy, but mutual respect, tolerance and unity are the real strength of the city. Fights and hatred weaken the social fabric of the city.

The officials of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maharashtra have reminded the citizens that voting is not just a right but also a duty and a trust. Not voting is tantamount to providing an opportunity to incompetent and immoral elements. Therefore, every citizen should definitely vote, neither sell their votes nor allow anyone to sell them, and not compromise on the future of the city.

Finally, the officials expressed their belief that it is only through informed and responsible citizen participation that an ideal, peaceful and developed city can be built, and reiterated their commitment to strengthening democratic values.

Mumbai: What is the need to enforce new laws in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections? Earlier, there was a complete ban on election campaigning on the second day after the campaigning stopped or the election rallies of the candidates became silent. But in the BMC elections, the Election Commission has taken a decision in favor of the government and has allowed the candidates to continue their election campaign by going door to door till 5 pm on the second day. Only the distribution of pamphlets and leaflets has been banned. So what is the harm in distributing pamphlets? Such serious allegations have been made here today by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray. He said that during the elections, complaints of cash distribution were received in several constituencies and videos have also gone viral. The Election Commission is helping the defeated candidates to win the election somewhere. Raj Thackeray said that there was no such law in the Vidhan Sabha assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections. Why has this concession been given now? Along with this, a decision has also been taken to connect a machine called Panda during the counting. Shiv Sena Uddhav Thackeray is against this. Thackeray has filed a complaint and has not taken approval from any political party. Raj Thackeray has also alleged that the Election Commission makes whatever arrangements are necessary for the government.

In January 2026, the UK government announced that immigration enforcement activity has reached its highest level in history following an intensified national crackdown. Data released by the Home Office shows that between July 2024 and the end of December 2025, immigration raids increased by 77% and arrests surged by 83%.
Key National Statistics
Total Raids: Over 17,400 enforcement visits were conducted nationwide.
Total Arrests: More than 12,300 individuals were arrested during these operations.

Deportations: Approximately 1,726 people arrested during these raids have been returned to their home countries, a 35% increase over the previous period.

Employer Fines: The Home Office issued over 1,000 civil penalty notices to employers, with fines reaching up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Targeted Sectors and Regional Highlights
The operations targeted businesses “hiding in plain sight” in sectors prone to illegal working:
Sectors: Nail bars, car washes, barbers, takeaway shops, and construction sites.

London: Saw the highest volume of arrests, with over 2,100 individuals detained in 2025 alone.

Northern Ireland: Recorded 187 raids in 2025, leading to 234 arrests—a 169% increase in arrests compared to 2024.

Wales: Conducted 1,320 raids in 2025, resulting in 649 arrests.

Operational Changes and Legislation
The surge in activity was supported by a £5 million funding boost for Immigration Enforcement and new legislative measures:
Operation Sterling: A specific initiative targeting “dark kitchens,” delivery services, and other casual work sectors.

Expanded Power: The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act expanded right-to-work checks to include gig economy, casual, and subcontracted workers.

Digital Verification: The government plans to mandate digital identification for all right-to-work checks by the end of the current Parliament to simplify employer compliance and identify rogue owners.

Field Technology: Since September 2025, over 1,200 frontline officers have been equipped with body-worn cameras to record evidence during raids for use in prosecutions.